Sunday, February 19, 2012

Happy 9th Birthday Austin






9 years old...when the hell did that happen? My first baby is growing like a weed. The little boy that was so whitty and sweet has been replaced by a smart talking, wise beyond his years young adult. We of course celebrated in a week long event which started with gifts and cupcakes. Grandma(my mom) shares Austins birthday with him so she came and got him for their annual dinner together. We rounded up the week with a family dinner party for everyone. I think he really enjoyed himself.

Every year I write a letter to my birthday boy. This is this years letter:

Dear Austin,

WOW, 9 years old! I'm not exactly sure where the time has gone. It seems like yesteday you would crawl up on my lap and ask for me to read your favorite book. Now, you have the little ones to crawl on your lap while you do the reading. You are a huge help to me. You help clean up and often coral your brothers when I am busy. You often talk back but I know it's simply out of frustration.

You are working hard at school. You have some small issues in Math but you read a full 4 grade levels above you. You enjoy going to tutoring and kicking butt at Tae Kwon Do. You are the Lego King and draw comic books every chance you get.

I look at you in complete amazement. You are so smart and so funny. I'm tough on you but I want you to know it's because i know you are destined for greatness. I love you more then you will ever know!

Love,
Your Mother

A New Start






A New Start

Now that Grif is officially 3 years old he is participating in a program through Summit Educational that is intensive therapy. He will have a Special Education teacher 5 days a week for 3 hour sessions followed by 2 hours(a week) of Occupational Therapy and 5 hours(a week) of Speech therapy. 3 days a week he has all three. He is such a tough little boy.

1 month later...It's amazing how quickly he has picked up on the therapies. My minimally verbal child is now saying "One, Two, Three", "....., SET, GOOOOO" (He doesn't say READY yet, but he will). He is kicking butt in every way. He is speaking in sentences through Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a form of augmentative and alternative communication. It is typically used as an aid in communication for children with autism and other special needs. The system has been used with a variety of ages including preschoolers, adolescents and adults who have a wide array of communicative, cognitive and physical difficulties. Recent literature reviews have supported PECS as an evidence-based practice. He can difinitavely use the PECS to communicate sentences "I want...". It's just so incredible.

From the moment Grif was diagnosed as Autistic I knew we would FIGHT as hard as we could to not lose him in the quiet world of Autism. He has been receptive to every single therapy we have thrown at him. This kid is AMAZING!!!! I am one proud momma!!!